Authorities in Chicago are reporting that more than 1,000 dogs were seen by veterinarians in the Chicago area between January and March, all suffering from canine flu. At least five dogs have been killed by the virus.
Symptoms for your dog are similar to what you would experience: runny nose, cough, and fever. If you think your dog has the flu, you need to take him or her to the vet as it can turn into pneumonia, particularly in older dogs.
As far as prevention, vets suggest you follow general, common sense guidelines to prevent the spread of canine flu. Keep your dog home if at all possible – avoid dog parks, dog daycare, and boarding facilities until the outbreak has subsided. In fact, PetSmart has closed its Chicago area PetsHotels out of an abundance of caution.
There is a vaccine available, but it is not routinely given – you must specifically ask your vet for it. Just like the vaccine for humans, the canine flu vaccine is given yearly.
You can find more information on PetMD.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!